Piquant

Free Krispy Kreme: Friday is National Doughnut Day

What a deal-io! Free doughnuts, yours for the asking. Yumm-io.

Groupon NYC deal of the day: Angelina Pizzabar $10 for $20

Archestratus, the first food critic, praised Italian cuisine's "top-quality and seasonal" ingredients and "fair-to-middling" ability to tranquilize out-of-control mayors. Today's Groupon similarly stuns, and rightfully so: 
for $10, you get $20 worth of food and drinks at Angelina Pizzabar.

Angelina Pizzabar extends the traditions of Italian comfort food to New York diners with a menu of handmade, mouth-bound Italian favorites. Attack Angelina Pizzabar's recipe roster, starting with an antipasto such as crispy calamari ($6) or clams casino ($8) with sweet peppers, onions, and bacon. Meatballers can opt for a traditional pasta dish, such as linguine with sautéed baby clams ($14), lasagna ($12), or spaghetti with homemade meatballs ($14), whereas foodies looking to curry favor with Angelina will go for the restaurant's array of pizzas . All pizzas are baked in a wood-fired brick oven with a revolving stone floor, using fresh ingredients such as rosemary, garlic, and olive pits flung into the flames for added flavor.

Thai resort Outrigger Laguna Phuket offers rate deals

PHUKET, THAILAND, April 29, 2010 -- Outrigger Laguna Phuket Resort and Villas will have great value Summer rates from US$125 for guests staying in May or June 2010.

The 68-villa Outrigger property is part of the Laguna Destination Resort Phuket at Bang Tao beach, a 20-minute drive from Phuket international airport.

The two-bedroom villa is THB 4,000 (US$125) per night. The three-bedroom pool villa is THB 7,000 (US$219). The four-bedroom pool villa is THB 11,000 (US$344).

All rates include in-room daily continental breakfast. The Summer Special rates are subject to 18.7% tax and service charges.

At the resort, Outrigger guests have signing privileges at 30 food and beverage outlets and spa facilities across Laguna Destination Resort Phuket, and at the nearby Laguna Phuket Golf Course. Outrigger guests also receive a free five-minute transfer to the resort's own beach club at secluded Layan beach.

Also announced are enhanced services including an upgraded kids' club, the addition of barbecue facilities and children's trampolines in the gardens. The Bites Café in the Park menu now offers a wide range of lunch, dinner and kids' options. New and classic Thai dishes and international favorites have been added to the in-villa dining menus.

For more information

Visit www.outriggerphuket.com. Call (+66) 76 336 900. Or email: laguna@outrigger.co.th.

Groupon deal for the day: NYC's Le Caire Lounge

A good hookah lounge is like a good science experiment-full of flavorful smoke and best enjoyed with a hummus appetizer and the lab partner you have a crush on.

Today's Groupon treats the senses to a sensual sensory experience: for $15, you get $30 worth of fruitily smoldering hookahs, signature cocktails, and Mediterranean meals at Le Caire Lounge on East 3rd Street.

Dare I say, smoking?

Sweet deals and sparkly finds at Magpie Boutique grand opening

Let Your Luck Decide Your Discount!

MAGPIE BOUTIQUE’S 1ST annual Draw Your Own Discount Sale and Grand Opening Party is FEBRUARY 6TH.

The fates will decide when you draw for a 25-50% discount on all Fall/Winter clothing and shoes.  

Bring a friend and bring home a find from top designers like BCBG, Corey Lynn Calter, Eva Franco, Gold Hawk, James Jeans, Lauren Vidal, Pur Premium Denim, Red Engine, Cavage, Corso Como, Remix, and many more.

Desserts by Pastry Chef Christa Evans and Sparkling Drinks Served at 4 pm.

Details:

Magpie Boutique

601 W. Main Street, Suite D

Durham, NC 27701

(919) 683-1981

www.magpienc.com

Tweet deals on travel with Twitter

Twitter users - Tweeps - are getting the goods when it comes to travel bargains as more airlines, hotels and travel companies are tweeting deals and discounts.

Who knew play - ahem - social media could be such a great way to save money?
too?

The NY Times Practical Traveler reveals this and nine more ways to save on your travel in 2010.

Seattle Gourmet Coffee a great home brew

Always on the alert for a great tasting new coffee to brew at home, I was delighted to taste test the micro-roasted coffees of Seattle Gourmet Coffee.

The master roasters at Seattle Gourmet Coffee sent me three pounds of beans, one each of Emerald City Blend, Northwest, and Sorrento.

Grinding was a delight as I inhaled the rich and aromatic aroma of the coffees. If the nose of these coffees is any indication - dark, nutty and potent. The kitchen was filled with an enticing invitation to perk a pot.

I tried the Sorrento first. Billed as a darker Italian style roast, typical of Southern Italy, I found it to be lighter than I was expecting. Smooth and low acid, I recommend a higher coffee to water ratio to achieve a fuller bodied brew. 

Northwest,  a medium-bodied roast with a smooth and spicy finish, was next.  This coffee is balanced and has an amazing depth of flavor.  A real bargain at $11.95 per pound.

When I think of Emerald City, I think of the bejeweled fantasy city of the Wizard of Oz.  Now, after tasting Seattle Gourmet Coffee's blend of African, South and Central American, and Indian coffee beans, I'll be dreaming of a hot and tasty cup of java.

Emerald City Blend with its luxurious mouthfeel and intense flavor was by far the favorite. 

Seattle Gourmet Coffees can be bought online and the company also offers a Coffee of the Month Club (a terrific value at $50 for one pound per month, plus shipping & handling, as well as a 30% discount on future purchases ). 

Seattle Gourmet Coffee is offering 10% off your order with the following promotional code: BURKE 1.

See Fela! on Broadway at deep discounts

FELA!, the award-winning new musical that The New York Times called "a show that melts walls" is coming to Broadway.

Based on the life of groundbreaking African composer and performer Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, FELA! uses Afrobeat music (a blend of jazz, funk and African rhythm and harmonies) to explore his controversial life as artist, political activist and revolutionary musician.

Directed and choreographed by Tony® Award winner Bill T. Jones, with a book by Jim Lewis & Bill T. Jones, FELA! is a provocative hybrid of concert, dance and musical theatre.

For more information, go to: www.felaonbroadway.com/public.php

SAVE NOW WITH CODE FEPUB67

10/19/09 - 11/21/09
$52 (reg. $99)

12/1/09 - 01/31/10
$67 (reg. $112-$122)

Today's Deal: Ceci-Cela's $7 for $15 delicacies

Groupon's deal of the day is sweet.  $15 worth of delicious pastries - sweet or savory - for $7.

Ceci-Cela's authentic French menu features handcrafted selections by French pastry chef Laurent Dupal.

Pierce the puff of an éclair ($3.75) to taste the decadent chocolate, vanilla, or coffee crème that waits inside. Grab a whole box for your next gathering, or bring a friend to share in the deliciousness over espresso ($2.75).

You can use your Groupon toward an eight-inch paradise cake (mix of guava, mango, and passion fruit mousse with fresh fruit on top; $31) to take home, or take a friend to a decadent lunch, complete with dessert.

Butter up your boss with a baguette and brie ($3) and satisfy your sweet tooth with a delicate opera cake ($6.75 for individual size). Try a leek and onion quiche ($5 for individual size) or a ham and cheese croissant ($3.25) for a filling French treat.

As always, read the fine print.

$20 gets $40 Groupon at Velvet Cigar Lounge

You can’t puff on planes and you can’t light up in the library—today’s Groupon is your last chance to save the rarefied preserve of the endangered cigar consumer.

Velvet Cigar Lounge is one of the few remaining smoking sanctuaries where these gentlemanly creatures can enjoy delicious hand-rolled tubes of tobacco goodness in unharried comfort.

Save the species by taking advantage of today’s deal: $20 gets you $40 worth of the Velvet Cigar Line of Cuban-seeded joy.

As always read the fine print.